Christopher J. Banks
Overview
When your case needs to be tried, Chris Banks delivers. He is a seasoned trial lawyer and passionate advocate who specializes in simplifying complex matters for presentation to a jury or judge. Chris has spent a substantial portion of his career in court, cross examining witnesses, giving winning opening statements and closing arguments, and arguing nuanced legal issues. He also works hand-in-hand with companies and founders, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, to help them solve or avoid legal disputes before litigation arises.
Career & Education
- University of Nebraska, B.A., cum laude, 1994
- The George Washington University, M.A., with distinction, 1997
- Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 2001
- California
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Christopher's Insights
Webinar | 12.12.24
Navigating 2025: Key Updates and Reforms in California Employment Law
Get ready for 2025 by joining us to review the major changes to California employment law that occurred in 2024. This year, California finally reformed the state’s Private Attorneys General Act (“PAGA”), limiting the ability of plaintiff’s to bring claims unrelated to their own employment experiences and creating significant incentives for employers to act swiftly to find and fix any employment law violations.
Speaking Engagement | 12.12.24
"Navigating 2025: Key Updates and Reforms in California Employment Law," Crowell & Moring Webinar.
Client Alert | 5 min read | 08.21.24
Northern District of Texas Permanently Blocks FTC’s Ban on Non-Competes Nationwide
Firm News | 8 min read | 08.15.24
Representative Matters
- Secured $415 million judgment for Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp. after three-month jury trial that was upheld on appeal, generating a $523 million recovery for the client in 2014.
- Successfully defended aerospace company as lead trial lawyer against claims of unlawful termination and retaliation in the Western District of Washington in 2018.
- Successfully defended hospital network against claims for wrongful termination, disability discrimination, and retaliation as lead trial lawyer at arbitration hearing in 2018.
- Successfully defended software company in arbitration as lead trial lawyer on claims for breach of contract in 2019.
- Successfully obtained defense verdict and judgment for information network company as lead trial lawyer in jury trial alleging race discrimination in the District Court of Nevada in 2019.
- Successfully defended a billion-dollar reasonable royalty claim for online brokerage in trade secret misappropriation bench trial in California state court in 2016.
- Represented companies in the technology, healthcare, medical products, pet food, and fire protection industries in wage and hour class action and PAGA lawsuits.
- Obtained summary judgment for a multinational company in the Northern District of California against ERISA claims for prohibited transactions after class certification.
- Represented numerous companies and founders in pre-litigation separations in the technology, pharmaceutical, and other industries.
Christopher's Insights
Webinar | 12.12.24
Navigating 2025: Key Updates and Reforms in California Employment Law
Get ready for 2025 by joining us to review the major changes to California employment law that occurred in 2024. This year, California finally reformed the state’s Private Attorneys General Act (“PAGA”), limiting the ability of plaintiff’s to bring claims unrelated to their own employment experiences and creating significant incentives for employers to act swiftly to find and fix any employment law violations.
Speaking Engagement | 12.12.24
"Navigating 2025: Key Updates and Reforms in California Employment Law," Crowell & Moring Webinar.
Client Alert | 5 min read | 08.21.24
Northern District of Texas Permanently Blocks FTC’s Ban on Non-Competes Nationwide
Firm News | 8 min read | 08.15.24
Insights
U.S. Department Of Labor Issues Proposed Rule On Independent Contractors
|01.23.23
Employee Benefit Plan Review
Crowell & Moring Lures Morgan Lewis Labor & Employment Litigator in San Francisco
|02.23.22
The Recorder
Trade Secrets Food Fight Spotlights Importance of Comprehensive Agreements
|09.30.22
Crowell & Moring’s Trade Secrets Trends
Non-Compete Agreements a Non-Starter? New Jersey Proposes Sweeping Non-Compete Legislation
|05.24.22
Crowell & Moring’s Trade Secrets Trends
Enforceability of Non-Compete Agreements; Recent Input from the DOJ
|03.22.22
Crowell & Moring’s Trade Secrets Trends
Christopher's Insights
Webinar | 12.12.24
Navigating 2025: Key Updates and Reforms in California Employment Law
Get ready for 2025 by joining us to review the major changes to California employment law that occurred in 2024. This year, California finally reformed the state’s Private Attorneys General Act (“PAGA”), limiting the ability of plaintiff’s to bring claims unrelated to their own employment experiences and creating significant incentives for employers to act swiftly to find and fix any employment law violations.
Speaking Engagement | 12.12.24
"Navigating 2025: Key Updates and Reforms in California Employment Law," Crowell & Moring Webinar.
Client Alert | 5 min read | 08.21.24
Northern District of Texas Permanently Blocks FTC’s Ban on Non-Competes Nationwide
Firm News | 8 min read | 08.15.24